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Dan Micciche Head Coach
England U16s
Stuart English Assistant Academy Manager
Birmingham City FC
Ruben Jongkind Director of Talent Development
Cruyff Football
Michael Beale Foundation Phase Head of Coaching
Liverpool FC
Jose Barcala Garcia Head of Coaching
Deportivo La Coruna
Edu Rubio Head of Coach Development
MK Dons FC
+ many more world-class player developers.

LEARN FROM THE WORLD'S MOST INNOVATIVE COACHES.

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The Blog Manage the Game Ben Bartlett

Game management and understanding how to control a match are important elements for young players learning any sport. So how…

Read more...

Session Plans Breakout

PDP Video Session Plans are adaptable sessions designed by academy coach, Dave Wright. All sessions show key focus points, set up, and progressions so you can use them in your next practice.

Dave Wright
Dave Wright

Friday Q&A What is the benefit of a player-led trai...

What is the benefit of a player-led training session?   The question this week comes from Liam, via the PDP…

Dan Wright
Dan Wright

Friday Q&A What is your advice to a beginner coach?

What is your advice to a beginner coach?   The question this week comes from Mikael, via the PDP Innovation…

Dave Wright
Dave Wright

The Blog Learning Exchange

Sharing knowledge, approaching coaching in an evidence-based manner and accepting what we don’t know can only add to player development…

Mark O'Sullivan
Mark O'Sullivan
4 minutes

Research Reviews Long-term Practice with Domain-Specific ...

If this study does nothing else, it should reinforce a couple of useful ideas hovering over our sporting life.  First,…

William A. Harper
William A. Harper

Session Plans Limited Touches

PDP Video Session Plans are adaptable sessions designed by academy coach, Dave Wright. All sessions show key focus points, set up, and progressions so you can use them in your next practice.

Dave Wright
Dave Wright

Friday Q&A How do we develop a style of play?

How do we develop a style of play?   The question this week comes from Chris, via the PDP Innovation…

Dave Wright
Dave Wright
Paul McGuinness of Manchester United celebrates.

Masterclass Discussions The United Approach: Paul McGuinness

Paul McGuinness was immersed in the world of Manchester United as a player and coach for 28 years. Paul learnt...
Dave Wright
Dave Wright

The Blog Google It: How a Tech Giant Builds Great...

What can we learn from one of the most innovative companies on the planet? Since it’s inception, Google has been…

Reed Maltbie
Reed Maltbie
7 minutes

Friday Q&A What is your planning process?

What is your planning process?   The question this week comes from Ash, via Twitter: “What is your planning process?“…

Dan Wright
Dan Wright

The Blog Coaches: Are You Adding Value?

Recently, Mark O’Sullivan and James Vaughan attended the ICCE (International council for coaching excellence) conference in Liverpool to talk about…

James Vaughan & Mark O'Sullivan
James Vaughan & Mark O'Sullivan
3 minutes

Session Plans Dribble & Drive

PDP Video Session Plans are adaptable sessions designed by academy coach, Dave Wright. All sessions show key focus points, set up, and progressions so you can use them in your next practice.

Dave Wright
Dave Wright

WHAT IS PLAYER DEVELOPMENT PROJECT?

A COLLECTION OF RESOURCES FOR COACHES WHO WANT TO BE THEIR BEST.
BECAUSE THE WORLD’S BEST COACHES ARE ALWAYS LEARNING.

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MASTERCLASS DISCUSSIONS

A video library of 30-90 minute webinars and discussions with experts.

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VIDEO SESSION PLANS

A video library of practical session plans for coaches.

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INNOVATION SPACE

An exclusive members-only forum for discussing all things player development.

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PDP MAGAZINE

In depth articles from expert writers and contributors.

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RESEARCH REVIEWS

Concise summaries of the most cutting edge athlete development research.

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FROM THE ARCHIVES

A CURATED SELECTION OF TOP PDP CONTENT.

Masterclass Discussions Advice from the Academy

Edu Rubio is a UEFA Pro Licensed coach who works at MK Dons as the Head of Coach Development &…

Dave Wright
Dave Wright

The Magazine The Value of Values

Want to keep reading? This article is Premium PDP Magazine content for our members only.But don’t worry, you can start…

Hanna Eggestrand & James Vaughan
Hanna Eggestrand & James Vaughan
8 minutes

The Blog Poles Apart

Coaching can be a balancing act. When should coaches step in and help and what approach to teaching should you…

Sporticus
Sporticus
3 minutes

Session Plans GFU: Run or Pass

PDP Video Session Plans are adaptable sessions designed by academy coach, Dave Wright. All sessions show key focus points, set up, and progressions so you can use them in your next practice.

Dave Wright
Dave Wright

The Blog Creating Positive Sports Environments

Resident positive psychology expert, Lara Mossman discusses how to create positive sports environments for developing players. In this challenging article…

Lara Mossman
Lara Mossman
6 minutes

Research Reviews Sport-Specific Practice and the Developm...

When asked about his early years, hockey great Wayne Gretzky, said: “I played everything.  I played lacrosse, baseball, hockey, soccer,…

William A. Harper
William A. Harper

Masterclass Discussions Spanish Style & The Value of Rondos

UEFA A Licensed Coach, Kieran Smith joins us for a discussion on The Spanish Style & The Value of Rondos....
Dave Wright
Dave Wright

The Magazine The Pursuit of Illusion

The difference between a good player and a great player can often come down their ability to consistently show creativity…

James Vaughan
James Vaughan
8 minutes

Session Plans Shooting From Distance & Combinatio...

PDP Video Session Plans are adaptable sessions designed by academy coach, Dave Wright. All sessions show key focus points, set up, and progressions so you can use them in your next practice.

Dave Wright
Dave Wright

The Blog Are We Beating Them Into A System?

Systems tend to dominate organisational thinking in the modern age. So how do these systems potentially harm player development and…

Mark Upton
Mark Upton
2 minutes

The Magazine The Importance of Self Reflection

There has been a lot of past research focusing on developing the reflective skills of coaches through a technique called…

Sean Douglas
Sean Douglas
4 minutes

Friday Q&A What are some different communication st...

What are some different communication strategies I can use with my players?   The question this week comes from Michelle:…

Dan Wright
Dan Wright

The Magazine Embracing the Chaos

When we picture a proactive approach to player development, many people see structure and methodical organisation as a sign of…

Stuart English
Stuart English
6 minutes

Research Reviews The Language of Football: A Cultural Ana...

Just over 50 years ago Marshal McCluhan published a book entitled Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man. Its shorthand mantra…

William A. Harper
William A. Harper
Kids play street football in Spain. Photo: Dani Vázquez

The Magazine The Spanish Effect

Spanish football is constantly seen as a model for success in player development. Regular PDP Contributor & Founder of TOVO…

Todd Beane
Todd Beane
4 minutes
Western Bulldogs AFL team.

Masterclass Discussions Coaching Insights from the AFL Champions

Daniel Giansiracusa is a former professional AFL player who ran out for the Western Bulldogs 265 times over the course...
Dave Wright
Dave Wright

Session Plans Changing the Point of Attack

PDP Video Session Plans are adaptable sessions designed by academy coach, Dave Wright. All sessions show key focus points, set up, and progressions so you can use them in your next practice.

Dave Wright
Dave Wright

The Magazine Who We Are Is How We Play

I have quit jobs, moved countries and become – to use my friend’s words – an ‘intellectual hobo’ in search…

James Vaughan
James Vaughan
6 minutes
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Nick Levett
Nick Levett Talent Identification Manager, The FA
“Joining Player Development Project is a great way to enhance your players learning environment and development. A fantastic resource for all coaches.”
Michael Beale
Michael Beale Foundation Phase Head of Coaching, Liverpool FC
“Player Development Project is an excellent resource for all coaches looking to understand and implement creativity with their players.”
Dan Micciche
Dan Micciche England U16 Head Coach